Outdoor living is becoming increasingly popular and a new poll shows that homebuyers are willing to have less indoor space if that means more room outside

Home sales in Ottawa hit a new high last month -- there were 1,244 residential properties sold in September, 10 per cent above the same month in 2014 and higher than the 5-year average of 1,137.

The Ottawa Real Estate Board president David Oikle said that there was the possibility that the federal election would affect the local housing market but that it did not seem to be so far.

The average sales price of a residential class property in Ottawa was up by 0.5 per cent year-over-year to $385,142, while condo prices were up by 1.3 per cent to $257,303.

“The highest concentration of properties sold continues to be in the $300,000 to $400,000 price range, followed closely, again, by the $200,000 to $300,000 range.” said Oikle.

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